Iran's President introduces two new ministers to Parliament for approval

ehran, April 18, IRNA -- President Mohammad Khatami on Sunday
introduced two new ministers to the Majlis (parliament) for approval.

In a letter to the Majlis Speaker Mehdi Karroubi, President Khatami
named Safdar Hosseini as the new minister of finance and economic
affairs.

He also designated Nasser Khaleqi to take over the Ministry of
Labour and Social Affairs which is now headed by Safdar Hosseini.

If approved by the Majlis representatives, Hosseini, the present
minister of labour and social affairs, would replace Tahmasb Mazaheri
whose new position has not been announced yet.

However, Khaleqi now a Member of Parliament from Isfahan province,
would replace Hosseini as the new minister of labour and social
affairs.

Cabinet reshuffle aimed at coordination, unity: VP

Tehran, April 18, IRNA -- Vice-President for Legal and Parliamentary
Affairs Mohammad Ali Abtahi said here Sunday the cabinet reshuffle
will be implemented for the sake of coordination and unity.

Talking to parliamentary reporters, Abtahi said the government
has faced serious problems due to lack of coordination between
ministry of economy and finance and Management and Planning
Organization (MPO).

He rejected the claims that the economy minister and the MPO
head had been not aware of their dismissal, and said they knew the
issue.

Asked why the cabinet reshuffle should take place on the last year
of President Mohammad Khatami's tenure, the VP stressed, "The
government needs coordination and unity in the last year."

Abtahi said this change would be the last one in President
Khatami's cabinet, stressing that Interior Minister Abdolvahed
Moussavi Lari will hold his portfolio.

Despite Khatami's respect for the two bodies, a change can speed
up the results of the government's efforts, he noted.

The vice-president expressed hope the Sixth Majlis would give
vote of confidence to the proposed ministers.